Test cricket is ome of the best formats of cricket without a doubt. This is because it requires top grit, determination and skill and not just power hitting which seems to be prevalent these days in modern cricket. It involves win loss and draw as the three results that could come out on top unlike the other formats. In this video let’s talk about seven such matches where a team managed to draw the match with one or two wickets in hand in a nail biting finish.
The first match in the list is between West Indies and England in 2009. West Indies led the five-match series 1-0 with the final Test set to be played at Port of Spain. England scored 546 in the first innings but West Indies responded with a brilliant 544. Kevin Pietersen scored a brilliant 90 in the 2nd innings to set the West Indies a target of 240. Amazing performances from the English bowlers reduced the West Indies to 90-6. However, wicket-keeper Dinesh Ramdin knuckled down and remained unbeaten, while Chris Gayle played out 42 crucial deliveries. When the match ended, West Indies had been reduced to 114/8 but escaped with the draw. It was a closely fought battle where they managed to win the series by just 2 wickets
The second match in the list is between South Africa and England in Cape Town. South Africa took the game away in the 2nd innings when they piled up 447. England were left to survive for more than a day and a half. They ended the first day at 132 for 3. When Jonathan Trott departed on the 5th morning to leave England at 160 for 5, there was no doubt which way the game was heading. Just when it looked like they had seen things through, England lost four quick wickets. Number 10 Graeme Swann and last man Graham Onions were left to bat out the 17 deliveries left on the day. However, the two saw off the fiery spells from Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel to help England escape with a famous draw with one wicket to spare.
The third match in the list is between Australia and South Africa in Adelaide. The match looked done and dusted for South Africa when they were reduced to 45-4 on the 4th evening in the 21st over, Nathan Lyon causing havoc on a dry pitch while chasing 430 runs . However, Australia had no idea that they were about to witness a Faf du Plessis-AB de Villiers classic. The duo came together in the 21st over on the 4th day and their partnership spanned 68 overs yielded only 89 runs but South Africa now had an opportunity to make out a draw. Eventually, South Africa lost eight wickets to make for an exciting finish with 2 wickets to spare.
The fourth match in the list is between India and Australia in 1978. India’s highest fourth innings total is 445 all out in an unsuccessful run chase against Australia at Adelaide in January 1978. Australia had set a target of 493. India’s second highest fourth innings total of 429/8 came against England at The Oval in 1979. Having been set a target of 438 runs, India started off well but lost heaps of wickets in the middle overs. India required 9 runs to win with 2 wickets in hand when the fifth day’s play ended resulting in a draw. This was a stunning gritty performance by the lower order batsman to help India snatch a historic draw.
The fifth match in the list is between England and New Zealand in Auckland. The hosts set England a target of 481 in around a day and a half owing to some excellent batting ok display. By the time the 4th evening ended, England were on the mat at 90 for 4. Things continued similarly as England slumped to 159 for 6 but then Ian Bell and Matt Prior rallied to offer some resistance. Even after Bell was dismissed, Stuart Broad supported Prior well and it was not until the 140th over that New Zealand got two quick wickets to reduce England to 304 for 9. However, England’s last man Monty Panesar played out five deliveries and Prior defended stoutly to help England escape with a draw with just one wicket to spare.
The sixth match in the list is between India and England at Lords in 2007. One would not associate MS Dhoni with match-saving knocks in Test cricket but he did pull off a famous escape for India in the 2007 Test at Lord’s. India needed 380 runs to win the Test, which was pretty much out of the question after they lost half their side for 145. A defeat though seemed to be prevalent but Dhoni brilliantly farmed the strike in his unbeaten 76 off 159 balls. England kept chipping away at the wickets, but bad light and rain eventually had the last say as India escaped by the scruff of the neck, at 282 for 9 thus listing a famous one wicket draw.
The seventh and the last match in the list is between Australia and England at Sydney in 2022. Australia having already sealed the Ashes, came into this match with beaming confidence unlike their opponents. Riding on Usman Khawaja’s two centuries in both innings at the SCG Australia put England into a fix by setting a final innings target of 388 with four sessions to play. The Australian bowlers ran through the English batting before Joe Root and Ben Stokes provided some solidity. It didn’t last long and suddenly England were reeling at 270-9 with two overs to spare. England’s two most experienced bowlers Broad and Anderson successfully played out the two overs and not only saved the test but also an Ashes whitewash.
